Fed: Minister calls in Russian ambassador

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2008
Fed: Minister calls in Russian ambassador

CANBERRA, Aug 28 AAP - Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has called in Russian ambassador
Alexander Blokhin to make it clear Australia disapproves of the way his country is flexing
its muscles over the former Soviet territory.

Russia has angered the West by recognising the Georgian rebel regions of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia as independent states.

The audacious move compounds international condemnation of Russia's response to a Georgian
offensive to retake South Ossetia earlier this month.

A spokesperson for Mr Smith confirmed the minister had met Mr Blokhin today to discuss
the situation in Georgia.

"They had a frank exchange of views," she said.

"The ambassador outlined the Russian Federation's position on recent developments in Georgia."

Mr Smith used the meeting to tell Mr Blokhin that Australia believed Russia's decision
to declare the regions independent had not been a helpful contribution to the situation
in Georgia.

It was unhelpful for Russia's current relations with the rest of the world, as well.

"Mr Smith stated that Australia respects the territorial integrity of Georgia and believes
that Russia should abide by ceasefire arrangements and return to the positions they occupied
(before the conflict began)," she said.

"Mr Smith stated that it would only be through dialogue and a cooperative approach
that tensions in the region and internationally would be reduced, and a long-term resolution
of the issue achieved."

AAP so/rl/ldj/bwl

KEYWORD: GEORGIA AUST

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